Single Car Accident Insurance Claim
Personal Injury Lawyer | Most car accidents are scary accidents and single car accidents are no exception. Many times single car accidents involve bad weather conditions or possibly swerving to miss an animal. After a single car accident, often the driver does not feel at fault. Nothing could be done to avoid the accident. Well, according to insurance companies unless it was a flying object which damaged your vehicle, you are at-fault.
1. Slick Road Conditions
Slick road conditions are probably the number one cause of single car accidents. Even when most of the roadways are clear, black ice can be undetected by drivers potentially causing major accidents. Hitting a guard rail, snow bank, or tree would all be considered at-fault accidents even if no ticket is issued by police. Filing a claim will notify the insurance company of the single car accident which will add points to your insurance record.
Tips to Avoid Accident
- Stay home!
- Coast to slow down verse hitting the break
- Give a large stopping distance
- Have your personal injury lawyer info
2. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a growing concern for most drivers. Drivers have been multi-tasking while driving since the first autos hit the road, however more distractions are available today than ever before. Smart phones, GPS, and fancy vehicle options all take the driver’s attention away from what is really important, the road. If you are distracted and run off the road into a ditch, damage can be done to the undercarriage of your vehicle. Once again, even if you are not ticketed and file a single car accident, the claim will be considered an at-fault accident.
Tips to Avoid Accident
- Shut your phone off
- Minimize multi-tasking
3. Sun Glare
Sun glare can really cause problems when driving, especially at dawn and dusk. Even if the sun is blinding you, you are responsible for your vehicle at all times. Blaming the sun is not going to protect against an at-fault accident if you damage your vehicle while driving.
Tips to Avoid Accident
- Use a sun visor
- Always have sunglasses
4. Pot Holes
Pot holes are a huge nuisance to drivers particularly in the northern states. Hitting a pot hole is considered a single car accident which would place the driver at-fault. Many drivers feel not at fault especially when there is no place to go. Insurance companies cannot be responsible for repairing vehicles damaged by pot holes because they are too prevalent and they are often avoidable. Many new vehicle warranties will cover tires, but if a claim is filed on yourauto insurance it will be considered at-fault.
Tips to Avoid Accident
- Cautiously swerve around pot hole
- Drive slowly over pot hole
- Be alert
5. Swerving to Miss an Animal
Swerving to miss an animal is often a natural reaction, however it is also extremely dangerous. Nobody wants to intentionally hit an animal above all someone’s pet, but swerving should not be a solution to the problem because it could potentially create larger problems. Unfortunately for the animal, it is safer for the driver and passengers to hit the animal verses swerving into oncoming traffic, hitting a ditch and rolling, or hitting a large tree. A collision with an animal is considered a comprehensive claim, while even if swerving to miss a deer and hitting a ditch or tree would be considered an at-fault collision.
Tips to Avoid Accident
- Hit the animal
- Be alert
- Drive slowly through high deer populated areas
- Deer accident FAQ
6. Flying Objects
Flying objects hitting a vehicle technically could be considered single car accident, but it is the one time it would not be considered an at-fault accident. Rocks hitting your windshield, or a tree branch falling on your vehicle while driving are considered comprehensive claims. Comprehensive claims are typically not treated as severely by insurance companies as at-fault accidents.
Tip to Avoid Accident
- Usually flying objects hit so suddenly nothing can be done, just keep control of your vehicle.
It is the driver’s responsibility to have control of the vehicle at all times which includes poor weather conditions. Even if a police officer comes to the scene of a single car accident and opts to not give you a ticket, the insurance company will find you at-fault if a claim is filed. If a claim is not filed, then the insurance company will never be notified of the accident. –About.com
For more information do not hesitate to call our Personal Injury Lawyer at Printy Law Firm | Tampa 813.434.0649 | Tallahassee 850.877.7299
